Tank float stopper



May 26, 1931. F. W..STARKEY TANK FLOAT S'I'OPPER Filed April 25, 1928 I N VIZZZV' T0111 5661M); W/Shrg i Patented May 26, 1931 PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK W. STARKEY, 01E" LOGAN, PENNSYLVANIA TANK FLOAT srorrna Application filed April 25,

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a rim tank stopper, and has for one of its objects to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character 5* which will be inexpensive in the cost of manufacture although efiicient in operation. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a rim tank stopper which willbe applicable to various types and sizes of flush 1 tank outlet so that they may readily be installed by persons unskilled in plumbing work.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tank stopper which will seal the outlet of a flush tank by means of the rim of the stopper in contra-distinction to the usual sealing method wherein a ball or valve seats in a valve seat for which a certain size ball is particularly adapted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rim tank stopper including means to seal an outlet, means to guide the stopper into the outlet, said parts being so associated as to give to the stopper floating qualities sutficient to hold it from. the outlet during the flush period.

A further object of the invention is to provide an article of manufacture of suitable material, preferably rubber, having an in 80 verted frusto-conical guide, a rim projecting from the larger end'and a substantially hemispherical dome above the rim and connected with the latter between the edge of the guide and the outer edge of the rim.

A still further object of my invention isto provide a rim flush tank stopper having a pliable tapered guide, a rim projecting from the upper end thereof, the outer circumference of said rim terminating in a feather edge, 40 a dome of greater thickness than the guide and provided with a threaded socket for the reception of the usual stem.

With these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claim.

v In order that those skilled in the art to which this inventionappertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring 1928. Serial No. 272,867.

by numerals to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a conventional outlet of a flush tank showing my improved rim tank stopper in elevation associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the rim tank stopper per se.

In carrying out my invention as herein embodied, 5 represents the usual or any conventional outlet of a flush tank which leads from the tank to the hopper bowl and therefore is open at its upper end and usually provided with a valve seat 6 which is not used in connection with my invention. The outlet stand or structure is provided with a flange 7- at its upper end and also has an auxiliary side inlet 8 leading thereto in which is mounted the usual overflow pipe 9.

My improved rim tank stopper designated as a Whole by the numeral 10 is formed from suitable material having a certain amount of pliability and preferably the same is constructed from rubber and includes a hollowc tapering or inverted frusto-conical guide 11, the smaller end being opened as indicated at- 12, while from the upper or larger end projects an outwardly extending circular rim 13, the outer circumference of which it beveled to 7' form a feather edge 14 while above said rim is a substantially hemispherical dome 15, the edge of which connects with the rim 13 between the upper end of the guide and the outer circumference of the rim. The parts of the stopper so far described may be moulded as an integral unit but the dome portion is preferably stifier or more rigid than the guide which may be accomplished by using two grades of rubber or by forming the wall of the dome thicker than the wall of the guide. In the top center of the dome is moulded or mounted athreaded socket 16 for the reception of the usual stem 17 for connection with the flash tank operating lever and which also passes through the usual guides to assist in properly directing the stopper to the outlet after being withdrawn therefrom for flushing the hopper bowl.

In actual practice, my rim tankstopperfi when in position for closing the outlet has its rim 13 resting upon the flange 7 or equivalent surface surrounding the actual outlet opening and the water in the tank resting upon the rim supplies the necessary pressure to hold the stopper in place and securely seal the outlet. Any irregularities in the surface on which the rim is resting will not affect the sealing qualities of the stopper because the extra flexibility of the feather edge of said rim will permit it to assume the shape or shapes of said irregularities. Further, because of the flexibility of said feather edge of the rim, the pressure of the water on said rim will force the extreme outer circumference down tightly on the valve seat for securely sealing the outlet. Another particular feature of the invention is the location of the joints between the guide 11, the rim 13 and the dome 15 whereby under some conditions, the rim 13 may be forced downward along the circular line forming the joint between said rim and the guide 11 due to pressure upon the dome 15 which is con nected with the rim 13 beyond the point of connection between the rim and guide.

Upon withdrawing the stopper from the outlet it will float in the water in the tank because of its hollow construction and as the water recedes, said stopper will descend until it reaches the locality of the outlet and the smaller end of the guide 11 will first enter the outlet and if the stopper is not in proper alignment the guide will cause it to shift during its descent until the rim is caused to rest upon the sealing surface as shown in Fig. 1.

It is a well known fact that where a ball or valve such as generally used in this class of work is caused to engage the seat 6, the pressure of the water thereon soon causes it to become mis-shaped and thereafter it must always seat in the same place or a certain amount of lazlmge will occur after each operation of the flush tank.

These disadvantages a re entirely overcome by the use of my invention because the wide surface of the rim rests upon a usual smooth flat surface against which it is held by the pressure of the water acting directly upon said rim.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown, as these may be *aricd within the limit of the appended claim without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is A tank float stopper comprising a cylindrical tapered guide, an outwardly projecting rim having its outer circumference beveled to produce a feathered edge, and a dome above the rim and having connection with said rim between the outer circumference of said rim and the point of connec- FREDERICK W. STARKEY. 

